Co-Evolution and Bio-Social Construction: The Kichwa Agroforestry Systems ( Chakras ) in the Ecuadorian Amazonia

Daniel Coq-Huelva, Angie Higuchi, Rafaela Alfalla-Luque, Ricardo Burgos-Morán and Ruth Arias-Gutiérrez
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Daniel Coq-Huelva: Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, Sevilla 41005, Spain
Angie Higuchi: Department of Business Administration, Universidad del Pacífico, Jesús María 15072, Peru
Rafaela Alfalla-Luque: GIDEAO Research Group, Departamento de Economía Financiera y Dirección de Operaciones, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, Sevilla 41005, Spain
Ricardo Burgos-Morán: Departments of Earth and Life Sciences, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, 160101 Puyo, Ecuador
Ruth Arias-Gutiérrez: School of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, 160101 Puyo, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Polycultured agrarian systems in Ecuadorian Amazonia (also called chakras or swollen gardens) are characterised by a market-oriented crop for the generation of monetary income, for example, cocoa, other agricultural products (e.g., banana and cassava), and livestock for family farm consumption. Moreover, a chakra is an outstanding example of agroforestry production, in which ecological, social and economic elements co-evolve from a set of close and strong connections. In this context, the conservation and transformation of their biological subsystems can be understood as the result of complex interactions between anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic factors. In turn, such interactions are essential to provide food and monetary income to the indigenous community. Relevant agency capabilities exist that could cause an agroforestry system to take a different path of co-evolution, that is, towards greater or lesser sustainability associated with different levels of complexity. In conclusion, chakras have key ecological features that can mitigate the impact of human population growth in Amazonia. Additionally, chakras have their own processes of social self-regulation which enhance the possibilities of adaptation of Kichwa communities to changing environmental conditions, being essential elements in local food sovereignty, equitable gender relations and the respect of ancestral wisdom.

Keywords: ecological economics; agroecology; indigenous knowledge; Sumak Kawsay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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